What Do Fillings Do to Your Teeth?

Cavities in your teeth aren’t the results of only serious decay and infection. A cavity may also be created to operate the root canal or if your existing dental fillings come out. Irrespective of what the reason is out of these three, you must immediately get your dental fillings back to avoid any infection or bacteria build-up in the socket. Some of the most common types of dental fillings that you can choose from include composite, porcelain, metal amalgam, or pure metal. But before you move on to considering the right type for yourself, you must know how these fillings affect your teeth in both positive and negative ways.

Positive Effects

No More Oral Issues

The reason for getting a dental filling is when you have a dental problem that hinders your daily life in some way. Dental fillings will fill your cavity and eliminate the pain and sensitivity caused because of cavities. These fillings will also repair damage to teeth caused by teeth grinding (bruxism) and replace part of a broken tooth.

Long-term Relief

Tooth fillings last for 10-15 years on an average. So all the issues associated with the cavity, for which you got this restorative procedure, will disappear for at least ten years.

Strong and Natural Tooth

The process of dental fillings requires only a limited portion of tooth removal. This means that your natural tooth won’t be filed or prepared to put fillings in place. This means that more natural tooth structure can be maintained. Also, some weaker areas of the tooth may also be maintained with this.

Negative Effects

Minor Sensitivity

It is normal for your teeth to be sensitive to heat, cold or pressure during the recovery stages after getting fillings. This sensitivity will subside within a few days to a couple of weeks or more. If your cavity was large, or close to the pulp or nerve of the tooth, it may take longer for the tooth to settle down. As long as your teeth or gums are feeling better, there is no need for concern.

Affected Gums

The gum tissue may be sore for a few days, due to irritation during the procedure. The anesthetic injection site may also feel sore or bruised during the initial stages of healing. However, you will eventually get over this.

Altered Care and Eating Routine

This isn’t a direct effect on your teeth. But the way you eat and take care of your teeth is what involves your teeth too. Till your teeth and gums are perfectly healed, you can’t eat anything hard, chewy, or sticky to avoid putting pressure on the operated site. Likewise, you will be required to brush and floss very gently.

Now that you know what good or bad can happen to your teeth after getting fillings, you can make the right decision. But wait, before again going back to the choice-making stage, visit your dental clinic and find out everything about dental fillings. Move ahead only if you feel right and if your dentist approves that you are the right candidate.

We are a family dental clinic that takes pride in our gentle, considerate approach to dentistry. We understand that turning the dental visit into as comfortable and friendly an experience as possible is key – not just to our success, but to promoting good oral health in our community.